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The Way of Escape From Sin |
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Saturday, 28 October 2006 19:00 |
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People who sin often say: "I can't help it." This is the plea of the defeated sinner, who has been mentally defeated by the devil's propaganda of irresistible temptation. God's powerful promise to "deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:13) is in 1 Cor. 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1. Temptation Is Common: -- "Temptation" (Greek, periasmos, literally, "a testing") from Satan's view is an enticement to sin. God allows temptation to test us so we might be purer and stronger (Jas. 1:12). "The Tempter" (Matt. 4:3) seeks to seduce us to fail (1 Pet. 5:8). After the fall of man (Gen. 3), this world was turned into a battleground for the souls of men. Life is a test. It's not a sin to be tempted, but is an occasion for deciding whether or not to take sin's baited trap (Jas. 1:13-15). Let's not pity ourselves that we're some special case. All of God's faithful servants have faced similar temptations to try their faith (1 Pet. 5:9; Jas. 1:2-4). 2. Temptation Is Limited: -- God "knows our frame" (Psa. 103:14), so He knows our breaking point! It's true, "God will not put on you more than you can bear." This custom-made providence can, in His will, shield us so we are not overwhelmed (Rom. 8:28)! For example, Job was allowed to be tested to the breaking point of rejecting God, God mercifully intervened and stopped the trial of suffering (Job 33:16-18; 36:15; Jas. 5:11). Our Almighty Creator is our Abiding Sustainer (Heb. 13:5,6). Yet, it's possible to recklessly rush into tempting situations, without the prayerful desire of "lead us not into temptation" (Matt. 6:13). Here God provides no guarantees of help. To illustrate, a father had forbidden his little boy to swim alone in a nearby river. Later, when he was caught with his swimming trunks rolled up under his arm, his father asked why he deliberately intended to do what was forbidden. He said, "I just wanted to be ready in case I was tempted." In fleeing temptation, don't leave a fowarding address. 3. Temptation Is Winnable: -- God promises victory over temptation, if we retreat from it to Him! The "way of escape" is literally "the way out," by which we escape the clutches of sin. This path God has marked out in Scripture. "The way" to winning over temptation is supervised by God's providence, so we are not overwhelmed, but it's our responsibility to recognize it and walk on it. "The way" is marked by the signposts of Scripture hidden in our heart, which keep us from wanting to sin against God (Psa. 119:11). Keep God's precious promises in your heart (Psa. 55:22), for He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (Jas. 4:10). On this way of escape, we remember He sees and knows all (Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13) and will hold us accountable for every secret deed (Eccl. 12:14). This is how Joseph overcame sexual temptation with Potiphar's wife (Gen. 39:9). We also remember God's promises to reward us for every act of faithfulness upon overcoming our trials (1 Pet. 1:3-9; Rev. 2:10,11,17; 7:14-17). God's precious promises help motivate us to move with abhorrence away from sin and to pursue good (Rom. 12:9b), lest we forfeit His favor. To know this way, which is walking in what's right, we must memorize and meditate on God's precepts. This is how we know what to do under pressure. Jesus immediately responded, "It is written..." to Satan's seductions (Matt. 4:1-11). He quoted the best verse from Deuteronomy to deflect each specific temptation (1 Jno. 2:15-17). Jesus also fixed His mind on Scripture to keep Him firmly on the path to victory, from the temptation to abandon His saving work in Gethsemane to quoting Scripture on the cross (Matt. 26:54; 27:46; Lk. 23:34,46). How many Scriptures do you use when facing temptation? This way has Jesus coaching us (Heb. 2:18), since His example motivates us (1 Pet. 2:21-23) and His intercession lifts us up (Heb. 7:25). Also, Jesus provides the avenue of prayer which keeps us close to God (Matt. 26:42; Heb. 4:16). Satan is powerless when a child of God is on his knees (Jas. 4:6-10). Prayer connects us to God and deflates the allure of sin. In facing temptation, it's easier to stay out than to get out. We can only reject temptation if we accept God's way of escape. By: Frank Walton Submitted by Scott Taylor |
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Last Updated on Monday, 30 October 2006 03:07 |
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Organized Religion is Dangerous? |
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Friday, 29 September 2006 19:00 |
I saw an interview this past week on a news channel and listened to a man say that organized religion is “dangerous and a mass psychosis.” (Psychosis means a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality (from dictionary)). I of course was quite upset about this statement until the person said this, “If they would call themselves Christ-likes instead of Christians, maybe it would remind them to act like Jesus.” This quote made me take a step back and consider the point. We need to be acting like Jesus!
Though I believe the person that was talking simply was taking shots at religion including you and me. There are always going to be people who look at organized religion as a joke. The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” We should not be surprised by the statements of some concerning us worshipping God. Paul when he was on Mars Hill it says in Acts 17:32, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”” Just as in the first century there are going to be some that listen and there are going to be some that sneer and joke of what we believe.
The point about us acting like Christ is at least a valid point no matter who said it. We always need to be testing ourselves to make sure we are being the Christians that we need to be (2 Cor. 13:5). We should never be hypocritical in our service to God, and be able to stand before anyone when our character is brought into question (1 Peter 2:13). Why people feel the need to take shots at those who are following Christ I don’t know, but I do know that we all will stand before God and give an account for how we live in this life. The first chapter of Romans we read about those who served the creature rather than the Creator and it says in verse 22, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Those who sneer at the Truth will also become fools when they stand before God. There are some who clothe themselves in organized religion and are simply wolves in sheep’s clothing. We need to make sure we are simply following God and being the people we need to be.
By: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 08 July 2006 19:00 |
Yes, that's right, if you want to have a happy marriage marry a model. Now before you jump to conclusions because of this title let me tell you quickly that I am not talking about the Hollywood covergirl model. I am talking about the instructions given to the youthful king Lemuel by his mother in Proverbs 31:10–31.
When in my youth I remember reading these 21 verses and thinking every girl should read this because it is about girls and for girls. Then as I grew a little older, still in my teens, a favorite Bible class teacher had us memorize this passage. Then I began to realize that this scripture wasn't just for women. I saw in these verses characteristics that I needed to look for in a young lady. Before this the only qualifications a girl had to have was that she be popular and pretty. I don't have to tell you what a lasting relationship you can build on popular and pretty. Statistics prove that you are playing with dynamite when those are the only characteristics you look for. In this chapter, Proverbs 31, I saw the real worth of this one whose "price is far above rubies."
He shows us her energy. She is up and going before the dawn. She doesn't love sleep. She takes care of her husband and her children and all her domestic duties then she is free to take care of the business outside her home. In her business she is not slothful. She not only can give instructions as to how something is to be done she is willing to do it herself. Her work is not drudgery but a joy. It is more fun to work with someone who whistles while they work. More work gets done too.
Also, there is wisdom in her work. She is organized. Her God is directing her hands. Her hands are constantly caring for and sharing with others less fortunate than herself. She knows too well it is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35). She is selfLESS. Her husband and her children remember to praise her. Many times today mom is forgotten. We become spoiled because she is always there, always doing. I remember hearing that "Man may work from sun to sun, but woman's work is never done." Not much has changed has it? She is usually the first one up and unless there's a ball game on she's the last to sleep. How nice a "thank you sweetheart" would be ever so often.
Don't try to reward her with a tombstone or with sweet sounding words as she is laid to rest. Young man, marry a model, and be one yourself.
–By: Mo Hafley Submitted by: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 01 July 2006 19:00 |
"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
The Bible often uses "walk" as a metaphor for one's manner of conduct. Life is a journey; we are merely "sojourners and pilgrims" here. An old hymn says, "this world is not my home; I'm just a passing through..." In the body we are "absent from the Lord," but like Paul, we "walk by faith..." and "make it our aim to always be well-pleasing" to God (2 Cor. 5:2-9). Our choices are made with respect to things, which are unseen, rather than to those which are seen (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16-18).
Although we cannot see God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Heaven with our eyes, we have complete confidence that they are real, and we act accordingly. Whether we see or do not see does not alter their nature or importance, nor does it make it improper to act with reference to them.
Faith enables us to see when the eye cannot. It makes easy the most self-sacrificial service required of us (cf. Abraham, Gen. 22). It enables us to endure sore trials without murmuring. When dangers arise, it lights our path and gives us courage. It enables us to overcome doubt and temptations for we believe that "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!"
We do not "walk by sight." One walks by sight when he is motivated only by the approval of other people. He walks by sight when he makes mammon his god...when he lives for getting and hoarding, or spending and squandering...when he estimates worth by wealth, or property. A man walks by sight when he cannot control his appetite or passion; when he cannot put aside things "good for food and pleasant to the eyes" for the sake of tomorrow's sickness, or a life of disgrace; when he finds himself again and again yielding to the same temptation from which he has suffered. Weakly lives and miserably dies the one who is a slave of what his better nature condemns and despises, but to which his fleshly appetite, long made a tyrant by yielding to it, ties and binds him.
Quotes about Faith: "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light...Faith wears everyday clothes and proves herself in life's ordinary situations...Faith grows only in the dark. You've got to trust God when you can't touch Him...A faith that hasn't been tested can't be trusted...Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to finally see what we have believed."
By: James E. Cooper Submitted by: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 03 June 2006 19:00 |
Most children have a healthy fear of the dark. I can remember when I was young looking under my bed and in my closet for things hiding waiting to get me when I turned the lights off. Not too many people like being in a dark room, but so many people spiritually are doing just that. Living in a world with no light.
One of the reason our Lord uses the light analogy in the Bible so often is because if you are in a dark room and there is just a speck of light you focus on it and often times walk towards it. That is exactly what we need to do when it comes to Jesus. Focus on Him and walk towards Him. In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The question you and I need to answer is whether or not we are spiritually walking in darkness or walking in the light. In 1 John 1:5-7 we are told that God is light and we have fellowship with God if we walk in the light. Are we really in fellowship with God? Only if we are practicing truth.
The Bible does not stop there in its use of light. We as those in fellowship with God are told to be lights of the world. In Matthew 5:14-16, we are told to let our lights shine. We should never hide our light, but let our light shine so all men can see it. We have a responsibility to let others see the light and therefore have the opportunity to come and know God. So often however, I think we would rather hide our light instead of letting people see it. In the gospel of John we are told in chapter 1 that Jesus is the light, and that the light enlightens every man (verse 9). The reason why we should not hide our lights is found in verse 12 of John 1. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” It is a privilege to be call the children of God, and therefore we should never hide our light!
Are we walking around in the darkness spiritually? I hope we all can be like children and not want to be in the dark, but rather walk in the light.
Scott Taylor |
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We Must Forgive As Jesus Did... and Often |
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Friday, 26 May 2006 19:00 |
There are not many subjects made plainer in the Scriptures than that of our forgiveness of our brethren.
“To what extent must I forgive?” the question is asked; “Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13). Christ is so forgiving that He forgave His enemies, even dying for them (Romans 5:8). In fact, He said concerning those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” There is nothing a brother could do against me that could be worse than what I have done in sinning against God. And if Jesus could forgive me, I must forgive others.
“How often must I forgive my brother?” Jesus Himself gave the answer to that question when He told Peter, “Up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). He even said that “if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive Him.” The true forgiver will not keep a ledger of past wrongs suffered, but will be inclined to forgive even the repeated offender (1 Corinthians 13:5).
“What will happen if I do not forgive?” Jesus lets us know that our refusal to forgive betrays how ungrateful we are for His forgiving us. And we have the Lord’s assurance: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matthew 18:21-35).
--Mike Noble --Submitted by Scott Taylor |
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Friday, 19 May 2006 19:00 |
Our gospel meeting begins today with John Hains. I think it would do us all good to remind ourselves of the goals and aims of having a gospel meeting and the things that each one of us can do to help make this gospel meeting a success.
Save The Lost
The only means in which God has of reaching the hearts of men is through the preaching of the gospel. The gospel is preached in gospel meetings for the purpose of creating, building, and strengthening the faith. None can be saved without obeying in Jesus Christ (John 8:24; Mark 16:15-16). The gospel is preached in an effort to save the lost. Even though fewer and fewer non-Christian visitors are attending gospel meetings than in times past, still there are some non-Christians that attend the gospel meeting. There are teenagers, mates of Christians, and friends of Christians that attend the gospel meeting and therefore every effort must be made to reach these individuals so they can learn the truth of God’s Word before it is everlastingly too late.
Strengthen All Christians
Gospel meetings are good to have in order to strengthen all Christians. We want to hold on to all the individuals that have already become Christians. There’s no better way to do this than to continue to teach our number the Word of God. When Paul departed from the elders of the church at Ephesus, he said: “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Families have had their marriage strengthened and received words of encouragement and hope through gospel meetings. Every Christian can always use more strengthening in their daily life!
Let us be excited about our gospel meeting, which gives us more opportunities to worship God. Let us make every effort to be here supporting the work this week.
By: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 13 May 2006 19:00 |
As Christians it should be our goal to continue to grow in our spiritual life. There is no question that as babes in Christ we are to be on the milk of the word as we read in 1 Peter 2:2-3, “like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” .We need to get off the milk and get to the solid food of the word. We read in Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” The question for all of us to consider is, are we growing spiritually or dying spiritually?
As we read in Hebrews 5:14 those who are mature are those who practice. Do we “practice” when it comes to the word of God? Do we read it? Do we pray to God, as we should? Is God really a part of our daily life, or do we fit Him in when we find the time? In order to become mature as Christians we must “practice” daily. When it comes to the decisions that are made in the church. Do we make those decisions based off the authority found in the Scriptures, or based off of what we think sounds right? The only way we are going to know what God expects of us is by reading and studying His word.
Also, if we continue to grow spiritually it will be seen in our relationships with one another. You cannot help but begin to treat your spouse, children, or coworkers better if you are striving to live for Jesus daily. You cannot read a passage like Eph. 5 and continue to treat your wife or your husband wrong. You cannot read Eph. 6 and continue to treat your parents without honor, or parents cannot continue to provoke their children. If you want you marriage to get better grow spiritually.
There are so many things that are taking up our time, but as Christians we need to make sure that God is not the one being cut out of our time. It is up to each one of us to decide whether we are going to continue to grow as Christians, or begin to die spiritually. Let us all realize that the spiritual things of life are what are important. May we all be able to say as Paul did in Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” By: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 06 May 2006 19:00 |
The Lord’s Prayer (John 17) is widely quoted - in part - to emphasize the need for unity among God’s people. I challenge you to study the chapter carefully, looking for the means of attaining and maintaining that unity.
There are three parts to be considered: Christ’s prayer for Himself, for the Apostles, and for those who “believe on me through their word.” In Christ’s prayer for Himself (vs 1-5) he says he came to earth to give eternal life, and he identifies this with “knowing” the Father and Son. His work on earth glorified the Father, and as this is finished (in the crucifixion) he asks to be returned to His original glory with the Father.
As the Father was glorified in the Son, so Christ is glorified in His Apostles (v 10). Also, in the second part of His prayer Christ says He has manifested God’s name (v 6) and given them the Father’s Word (vs 6,8,14) to the end they may “know” God (receiving, believing, and keeping that word - vs 6,8; see 1 Jn 2:3-5). Being so “kept” the Apostles are “one, even as we are” (vs 11). They are set apart, sanctified, through truth (vs 17-19).
Finally, Christ prays for all whom the Apostles teach. The “glory which thou hast given unto me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one...” (vs 22-23). These too have “known” God (v 25), as a result of having received the declared truth.
Is it asking too much to expect a discerning reader to notice certain recurring thoughts? First, there is divine GLORY, in which the Father and Son are ONE. Then there is DECLARATION of that Glory (via manifestation and teaching of God’s word); and a SHARING in that Glory, as the taught come to KNOW God. It is in this way that those other than deity, come to be ONE with deity.
The oneness of believers for which Jesus prayed was the common quality to be found among all who partake of the divine image. Unity exists because they are one. The divine plan is not some organizational or creedal mold that forces heterogeneous people into the same society; it changes the people, in very essence as respects their spiritual life, so that they are now homogeneous, and therefore ONE. “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one.” The ideal (and it is indeed an ideal) is God-like people; having the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5), in word and deed doing all in His name (Col 3:17), transformed from glory to glory into His image (2 Cor 3:18), and all this to the glory of God (1 Pet 4:11).
The ideal nature of this unity is no different from being holy as God is Holy (1 Pet 1:16), pure as he is pure (1 Jn 3:3), etc. It is not attained in the absolute sense; but its principles are accepted, it is our constant goal, the mark toward which we press. If we fail to recognize the ideal aspect of this unity, we may consider the level of our attainment as the standard, and begin to measure others by ourselves.
Article taken from “Plain Talk”, Volume 18, Number 11, January 1982 Robert F. Turner
Submitted by: Scott Taylor |
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Saturday, 15 April 2006 19:00 |
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” The Christian’s daily walk should be a walk where “testing” is continually done. We find in scripture where God tests man; “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thes 2:4), and man is to test himself; “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Cor 13:5). God tests our hearts to know if we are loyal to Him (Matt 6:33; Col 3:1-2) and we are to continually test ourselves to ensure that we are in “the faith.”
Why Test Things?
As stated in our opening scripture, things should be tested so that we will know whether those things are good or evil. We want to hold fast to those that are good and discard the evil. Another reason we should test all things is to make sure that we do not become deceived. In 1 John 4:1-4 it says: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Bible tells us plainly why we should test things. It is only through our testing of things that we can be glorified. Peter writes: “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Let’s make sure that we test all things to ensure that we are doing ALL to the glory of God!
By What Are Things Tested?
Before you and I can test something we must first know what the standard is that we should test these things by. The Word of God is THE standard in which all things must be tested by (2 Tim 2:15; 3:15-16). Human standards do not cut it. After all, who will we be judged by in eternity? The answer is GOD, not man! Paul wrote: “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12). The wise thing to do is “Test all things; hold fast what is good,” because our eternal destiny depends upon it!
Richard Thetford; adapted Submitted by: Scott Taylor |
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